This year is the Meadowlands Commission's 40th anniversary, and we are busy planning all sorts of top-quality events and programs for the public.

We kick off the year with a Governor's Roundtable next Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon.The Roundtable will feature Governor Corzine* and former Governors Richard J. Codey, Donald T. DiFrancesco and James J. Florio discussing the past, present and future of the Meadowlands. (*invited.)

Award-winning New Jersey Network (NJN) environment reporter and producer Ed Rodgers will moderate the program. NJMC Chairman and state Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Joseph V. Doria, Jr. will also participate.

It's free and open to the public, but you'll need to RSVP because space is limited.

Click "Continue reading … " for more details, and stay tuned to this blog for news of upcoming monthly nature walks, programs and other events.

A great birding spot, if you hit it right, is the Gunnell Oval area of the Kearny Marsh. The other day the marsh was chock-a-block with American Coots (above), Canada Geese, Mallards and Northern Shovelers. We also caught a glimpse of the Common Moorhen and what we suspect was a Cackling Goose (below) — the smaller cousin of the Canada Goose. This guy was smaller, and shorter-billed than his companions, but it was a tough call. Any thoughts? More on Cackling Geese here. More on American Coots here.

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